Phytic acid

Phytic acid (CAS 83-86-3), also known as IP6 and carrying the food additive designation E391, is a naturally derived phosphoric acid ester extracted primarily from cereal grains and legumes.

Where is Phytic acid used?

• Food manufacturing: controls metal-catalyzed rancidity and discoloration in oils, fats, and processed grain products
• Personal care: metal-chelating action inhibits melanin synthesis pathways triggered by copper-dependent enzymes
• Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical: antioxidant stabilizer in tablet and capsule formulations
• Industrial cleaning and surface treatment: sequestrant that prevents mineral scaling
• It binds metal ions to prevent oxidative degradation.
• Used as a sequestrant for turbidity, scale and precipitates in hard water in food and beverage applications.
• Used in endodontics.

Good to know: Food-grade product is subject to purity specifications aligned with FCC requirements; pharmaceutical-grade material meeting USP or Ph. Eur. standards is available from select suppliers.

Formulation notes

• Not automatically interchangeable with sodium phytate or other phytate salts.
• The solid powder form has higher purity and superior bioactivity compared to liquid phytic acid.

Typical specification

• Powder has an assay of at least 99.0%.
• Powder has an arsenic content of no more than 3 ppm.
• High-purity powder grades also exist.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Should be kept in compatible, well-closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, avoiding contamination.
• Should be stored at +4°C.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.